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Lay Them to Rest: On the Road with the Cold Case Investigators Who Identify the Nameless

by Laurah Norton

Forensic science and the work of naming the unknown

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Hardcover New English

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AlbakiReads Editorial

Forensic science and the work of naming the unknown

Laurah Norton connects the history of forensic identification with the ongoing effort to identify people whose cases have remained unresolved. The book ranges from ancient death masks to contemporary 3-D facial reconstruction, while bringing in real-life John and Jane Does from around the world and examining how identification methods have changed. Its subject extends beyond techniques: Norton also traces her own involvement in raising attention and resources for a mishandled cold case involving missing twins. Together, these strands frame cold-case investigation as both a developing field of evidence and a human effort to restore names to the unidentified.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • True-crime readers interested in cold cases and missing persons
  • Readers curious about forensic science and identification methods
  • Readers interested in the history and development of forensic techniques

Themes

Forensic identificationCold-case investigationsMissing personsThe evolution of forensic science

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

Take a fascinating deep dive into the dark world of forensic science as experts team up to solve the identity of an unknown woman, using the rapidly evolving techniques being used to break the most notorious cold cases.

Fans of true crime shows like CSI, NCIS, Criminal Minds, and Law &Order know that when it comes to getting the "bad guy" behind bars, your best chance of success boils down to the strength of your evidence--and the forensic science used to obtain it. Beyond the silver screen, forensic science has been used for decades to help solve even the most tough-to-crack cases.

In 2018, the accused Golden State Killer, Joseph DeAngelo, was finally apprehended after a decades-long investigation thanks to a very recent technique called forensic genealogy, which has since led to the closure of hundreds of cold cases, bringing long-awaited justice to victims and families alike. But when it comes to solving these incredibly difficult cases, forensic genealogy is just the tip of the iceberg--and many readers have no idea just how far down that iceberg goes.

For Laurah Norton, forensic science was always more of a passion than anything else. But after learning about a mishandled 1990s cold case involving missing twins, she was spurred to action, eventually creating a massively popular podcast and building a platform that helped bring widespread attention and resources to the case. Lay Them to Rest builds on Laurah's fascination with these investigations, introducing readers to the history and evolution of forensic science, from the death masks used in Ancient Rome to the 3-D facial reconstruction technology used today. Incorporating the stories of real-life John & Jane Does from around the world, Laurah also examines how changing identification methods have helped solve the most iconic cold cases.

Engrossing, informative, heartbreaking, and hopeful, Lay Them to Rest is a deep dive into the world of forensic science, showing readers how far we've come in cracking cases and catching killers, and illuminating just how far we have yet to go.
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